Independent ad attacks Kaine as Obama aide

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Associated Press
Thursday, June 14, 2012

RICHMOND (AP) — A conservative group has begun a two-week run of ads across Virginia accusing Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine of selling out Virginia to advance President Obama’s priorities in Washington.

American Crossroads, an independent super PAC that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of cash, is paying $1.6 million for the 30-second ad that knits together a disconnected patchwork of Kaine sound bites. The ad first aired Wednesday.

The group is running similar ads attacking Democratic Senate candidates in Nevada and Nebraska.

While federal law prohibits American Crossroads and similar groups from coordinating with the candidate’s campaign, it repeats Mr. Allen’s mantra that Mr. Kaine is a puppet for Mr. Obama.

The ad notes Mr. Kaine’s close relationship with Mr. Obama and speeches and national television appearances he made as chairman of the Democratic National Committee to support the president’s initiatives. It also notes that the state reported more than 65,000 additional unemployment claims while Mr. Kaine doubled as governor and DNC chairman.

The commercial joins an already congested television rotation of political ads across Virginia. By Election Day, total political advertising and campaign costs could reach $100 million in Virginia if both the Senate and presidential races remain close, said Steve Jarding, a consultant for the successful 2006 Senate campaign of Jim Webb.